News in Press-centre

Far East Federal University (FEFU) researchers, together with the leading hematologists of Russia and Europe, have developed a new technique for early diagnosis and treatment of the blood clotting disorders due to vitamin K deficiency. The study is based on the analysis of the most interesting clinical cases, and the results were published in the DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

As explained by the participant of the research team, Kirill Golokhvast, the FEFU Vice President for Research, D.Sc. (Biology), vitamin K is responsible for blood coagulation in the human body, and its disorders due to the lack of element (vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy) is an extremely rare disease that is difficult to diagnose.

Having studied non-trivial clinical cases, the researchers identified patterns and developed a technique for diagnosing and treating poisoning with vitamin K antagonists. At the first stage, the main thing is to stop taking any anticoagulants. Further, it is necessary to be admitted to the intensive care unit for 24 hours without contact with relatives. The patient is then transfused with fresh-frozen plasma or prothrombin complex concentrate (a complex protein that characterizes blood clotting) and vitamin K is administered. Vitamin K1 is more effective in this case, experts say.

“Vitamin K is produced by symbiotic intestinal flora, so a clotting disorder may occur even as a result of antibiotic abuse,” said Kirill Golokhvast. “Usually doctors perceive the manifestation of vitamin K-dependent coagulopathy as an accident due to an error in taking medication, poisoning with such poisons as coumarins and warfarin, memory disorders or suicide. Such pathological conditions are extremely difficult for diagnosis and treatment, so their early identification and proper treatment can save a person's life.”

The published scientific article received a wide response in a professional environment. According to the FEFU Vice President, practitioners actively download the publication to use the suggested methodology in dealing with patients.

The research team also included FEFU researchers Aristides Tsatsakis, Alexander Sergievich, Vladimir Kodintsev, leading Russian hematologists, researchers from Amur State Medical Academy (Blagoveshchensk), researchers from major scientific centers in Romania, Greece, and Turkey.